Memorial visitors mixed on Nichols' trial outcome

Posted: Sunday, June 13, 2004

Sean MurphyThe Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY - Visitors trickling through the Oklahoma City National Memorial expressed surprise Saturday that an Oklahoma jury deadlocked on whether to sentence bombing conspirator Terry Nichols to death.

Nichols, who escaped the death penalty in his 1997 federal trial after a jury deadlocked, was spared the death penalty again Friday when jurors in his state case failed to reach a decision during the punishment phase. This leaves the sentencing to the judge, who will be required to impose a life term.

Several dozen people milled around the memorial Saturday morning, flanked by the twin gates that frame the moment of the bombing - 9:02 a.m. April 19, 1995 - when a fuel oil and fertilizer bomb ripped through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds of others.

Steve McConnell of Oklahoma City, who was visiting the memorial with relatives, said a life sentence for Nichols may mean more information will be revealed about the bombing conspiracy.

"It seems like most of the people wanted the death penalty, but to me I think there is more to be learned, maybe," McConnell said. "So maybe not getting the death penalty was a good thing, and we can find out more about what actually happened."

Lynn Kurosky of Arlington, Texas, said she strongly supported the death penalty for Nichols, who was found guilty of 161 counts of first-degree murder in the state trial.

"There were a lot of people killed here, and I think he should have gotten death, especially with something as severe as this," said Kurosky, who stopped at the memorial on her way back from North Dakota. "I think they need to bring back the old oak tree and start stringing 'em up."

Looking out at the field of 168 empty chairs, each one symbolic of a life lost in the attack, Angela Spoede of Houston said she was struck by the thought of how many lives were influenced by the bombing.

"It doesn't seem like there is a punishment harsh enough for what he did to those families because there is no way it can ever be taken back," Spoede said.